Ukrainian UAVs target Moscow: Air defense neutralizes dozens, flights disrupted

Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation, became the target last night of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) reportedly belonging to Ukraine.

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin announced that air defense forces destroyed 33 UAVs heading towards the capital.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a total of 296 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down or neutralized across 13 regions of the country.

The attacks caused disruptions to flights at airports in the capital and surrounding areas.

Measures and initial assessments in the capital

Following the incident, traffic flow was temporarily suspended in Zelenograd, specifically in the section between Kashtanova Passage and Ozernaya Passage, affecting building number 5s2.

The Capital Transportation Department advised drivers to utilize alternative routes. Mayor Sobyanin reported that initial assessments indicated no serious damage or injuries resulted from the repelled UAV attack in Zelenograd.

Disruptions in air traffic

The Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) imposed temporary restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures at Moscow airports due to the hostile UAV activity.

Agency spokesman Artyom Korenyako reported that restrictions at Domodedovo Airport commenced at 11:50 PM Moscow time on May 27.

Korenyako further noted that similar measures were enacted at Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports at 1:10 AM Moscow time on May 28, with information regarding restrictions at Sheremetyevo Airport released at 3:15 AM.

The airports resumed normal operations by 7:15 AM Moscow time.

Restrictions were also implemented at airports in Kaluga (Grabtsevo), Vladimir (Semyazino), Ivanovo (Yuzhny), Kostroma (Sokerkino), and Yaroslavl (Tunoshna).

These airport restrictions were lifted at 8:13 AM.

Due to operational constraints at Sheremetyevo Airport and limitations on the use of Moscow airspace, some Aeroflot flights were rerouted to alternative airports or experienced postponed departures.

The airline announced adjustments to its flight schedule, which included the cancellation and consolidation of some flights.

UAVs also neutralized in Moscow Oblast

Separately, Moscow Governor Andrey Vorobyov announced the downing of 42 UAVs in the region and that attacks had been repelled across 12 municipalities.

Reports indicated that three residential buildings sustained damage in the village of Troytskoye, located in the Chekhov district, although no injuries occurred in the incident.

Governor Vorobyov pledged that support would be extended to the residents of all affected homes.

Ministry of Defense: Large-scale attack repelled

A statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that between 9:00 PM Moscow time on May 27 and 7:00 AM on May 28, air defense units destroyed or neutralized a total of 296 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over 13 regions within Russia.

The Ministry specified that, in addition to Moscow and its environs, attacks were also thwarted over the Bryansk, Belgorod, Vladimir, Voronezh, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Kursk, Orlov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tver, and Tula oblasts.